Slipper.



E. 'A. BlCKFORD SUPPER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY :8. I916.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

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UNITED STATES PATENT @FETQE.

ERNEST A. BICKFORD, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB. TO THE WILEY-IBICKFORD-SWEET 00., OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A COEPORATION OFMASSACHUSETTS.

SLIPPEE.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

Original application filed August 31, 1915, Serial No. 48,216. Dividedand this application filed July 18,

1916. Serial No. 109,986.

To all whom itmay concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST A. BICKFORD, a citizen of the United States.residing at Worcester, in the county of lVorcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Slipper, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to a slipper and, while not strictly confinedthereto, is particularly adapted for a slipper made almost entirely offelt.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a simple andpractical slipper in which preferably the insole and upper are integralwith each other throughout; to provide a slipper in which there is noseam be tween the insole and upper so that there are no stitches at thatpoint likely to pull out, and also to provide a cushion withoutcomplicating the manufacture or materially increasing the expense.

Reference is to be had to the accompanyings, in which Figure 1. is aside elevation of a felt blank from which the slipper is to be made;Fig. 2 is a cross sectionof the same shown bottom side up and showingthe first step in the method of manufacture after the blank is formed;Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the outsole stitched on; Fig. 4c is asimilar view showing the next step, the application of the cushion. andFig. 5 is a cross section of the complete slipper.

1 shows simply a felt blank from which the silpper is to be made. This,as shown, consists of a single integral piece of material, preferablyfelt, embodying an upper A and an insole B. This article is formed at asingle operation, as by a felting process, and preferably the insole ismade of the same thickness and texture as the upper. In order tomanufacture a slipper from this blank as shown in Fig. 2 the insole isslit from end to end. This makes two flaps of the insole which can beturned up as shown more especially in Fig. 8. This is taken advantage offor the purpose of applying the outsole D. This outsole may be soft,hard, thick or thin as desired. In any case when applied as shown inthis figure, it is inserted through the slit and its edges are stitchedto the blank AB along the boundary line between the insole and upperrespectively, 2'. e. the line where they merge. In the case shown in thedrawing this outsole is of a comparatively thin leather, andconsequently its edge can be turned up and in slightly in order to sewit. Another step in the preferredway of manufacture is indicated in andthen the slipper is turned and the product shown in Fig. 5 is theresult. It will be seen that this results in an article in which thereis not necessarily any seam between the insole and upper, andconsequently no stitches are likely to come out at that point.Furthermore, the insole preferably is integral and continuous with theupper, thus forming a convenience in manufacture, reducing the cost, andleaving a smooth bottom which can he covered if desired as is understoodin this art. Another great advantage is that the only seam betweeneither of the soles and the upper is located inside the shoe where itcannot come to wear and cannot be seen from the outside, and this is aseam not between two edges but between one edge of the outsole and thebody of the upper. In this way an extremely neat and durable article isprovided at a comparatively small expense.

It will be understood, of course, that in the manufacture of the slipperthe cushion can be omitted if desired in certain classes of slippers orit can be secured to, or form a part of, the outsole before the latteris placed in position, and the same procedure can be carried out with ablank in which the insole and upper are sewed together.

Although I have illustrated only one form of the invention I am aware ofthe fact that many modifications can be made therein by any personskilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention asexpressed in the claims. Therefore I do not wish to be limited to allthe details of construction herein shown and described, but

lVhat I do claim is 1. As an article of manufacture, a slippercomprising an upper and insole, and an outsole secured to the insole bya line of stitches located entirely within the slipper,

having one side of the line of stitches located on the inside of theupper and insole, and the other side located on the outside of thleinsole but on the inner side of the out SO e.

2. As an article of manufacture, a slipper comprising a felt upper andinsole integral with each other, said insole being slit from end to endand sewed up, an outsole secured to the insole by a line of stitchesentirely concealed from the exterior of the slipper, and a cushionlocated between the outsole and insole.

3. As an article of manufacture a slipper comprising an upper, an insoleintegral therewith, and an outsole secured to the insole by a line ofstitches located entirely within the slipper so thatsaid stitches cannotcome to Wear on the exterior surface of the slipper said insole having aslit therethrough to permit access to the stitches, and the slit beingsewed up.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aflixed my signature.

ERNEST A. BICKFORD;

copiesof th is patent maybe obtained for, five cents each, by addressingthe "Commissioner of katente Washington, D. G.

